Vehicle parking control means



Nov. 24, 1959 'R. L. SINCLAIR VEHICLE PARKING CONTROL MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F IG. 2.

Filed July 8, 1957 INVENTOR 17/67/4170 L .f/I/CM/i ,arromvs s Nov. 24, 1959 R. L. SINCLAIR VEHICLE PARKING CONTROL MEANS Fil ed July 8, 1957 ,F IG. 3.

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wvewmfi RIC/M t. 5/1701 4/? BY WW w A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent VEHICLE PARKING CONTROL MEANS Richard L. Sinclair, Garden Grove, Calif. Application July 8, 1957, Serial No. 670,565

9 Claims. (Cl, 74-2) This invention has to do with devices for controlling the parking of automobiles and similar motor vehicles in parking stalls, the invention having to do particularly with coin-operated devices of the type designed to prevent the removal of the vehicle from the parking stall until the proper amount of money has been deposited in the meter.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a device for controlling the parking of vehicles for use with single-ended parking stalls where the vehicle must enter and leave the same end of the stall, that is, if it is driven in forwardly, it must be backed out, and vice versa.

Another object is to provide a device which is automatically set or actuated by the vehicle passing over a portion of the device located at the vehicle-supporting surface and .to provide a device which automatically sets up a barrier or obstruction to prevent the removal of the vehicle until the proper amount of money has been deposited in the meter.

More particularly it is an object to provide a piv-. otally mounted plate at the vehicle-supporting surface or ground level which is of a dual nature and includes a reset section and a barrier section and which is movable to three positions, together with means controlling the plate.

A further object is to provide automatic reset means adapted to be driven by a clock mechanism or the like to prevent a person from prematurely releasing the device for a minimum parking charge and subsequently removing the vehicle after the minimum parking time has expired without payment of further money.

Still another object is to provide a simple, rugged, easily constructed device which is economical to manufacture and can be readily installed and serviced.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and the following description. Referring to the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view, partly diagrammatic, of apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly broken away;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are sectional views of the upper portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, but showing the parts in different positions.

More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral 11 generally indicates a dual plate mechanism which is installed substantially at ground level or at the vehicle-supporting surface in position to be traversed by at least one wheel and preferably two wheels of the vehicle. 12 designates a hollow post or column which contains control mechanism, designated 14, and which supports a coin-controlled meter mechanism 15, shown diagrammatically.

The means 11 includes a plate, designed 120, which consists of two angularly disposed sections, namely, a barrier section 21, and a reset section 22. These are disposed in planes which form an obtuse angle. Plate 20 is pivotally mounted substantially at the intersection 2,913,906 Patented Nov. 24, 1959 ice of the two plate sections upon a pivotally mounted shaft 24. This is supported in a frame 25 of suitable type mounted upon the ground or vehicle-supporting surface 26. 1

As will later appear, the vehicle enters the parking stall or area and traverses the plate 20 in a direction laterally or across the plate, the vehicle moving initially in the direction indicated byarrow 27 in Figs. 1 and 2. In doing so, the barrier section 21 is depressed to the lower broken-line position but returns to its normal, fullline position, and, as will later appear, is held there resiliently to prevent the vehicle moving backward out of the parking stall.

The shaft 24, which is rigidly secured to the plate, is connected to an operating rod- 30 within the column 12 by means of a lever 31 which is pivotally secured at 32 to the rod and rigidly secured at 33 to the shaft.

Rod 30 is provided with a pair of axially spaced collars, designated 35 and 36. A coil compression spring the rod.

Column 12 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 43 which supports the disk 38 and hence spring 37. t

With the parts in normal position, such as shown by the full lines in Fig. 1, the cylinder and spring are retained in the position shown by latch means which may consist of a latch finger 44 projecting over the top of the cylinder. A spring 45 yieldably urges the latch finger to this position. The latch finger is retracted manually by operating knob 46 having teeth 46 which engage a pin 47 on the latch finger. It is to be understood that the portion 15 of the device would include any conventioual coin-operated clock or meter mechanism (not shown) which will prevent operation of the knob 46 until suflicient coi s have been deposited.

I11 the op ion, assuming a vehicle wheel traverses the plate means 20 in the direction of arrow 27, the barrier section of the plate is moved to the lower broken line p si on shown in Fig. 1 against the force of spring 37, the parts assuming the position in which they are Shown F g- 3.- AS he vehicle wheels runs'ofi the plate, the latter returns to its normal position, namely, that shown in Fig. 1 under influence of, spring 37. If the Vehicle were then moved rearwardly, the wheel (or wheels) would contact the edge of the barrier'section of the Plate and would move the plate upwardly to the upper broken-line position of Fig. 1 which is the platelocking position. This movement of the plate is resisted by a spring 50provided about the rod 30 below a disk 51 adjacent the collar 36 as best shown in Fig. 4. The spring 50 is supported upon the flange 53 in the column 12. Also, spring 37 to some extent resists such movement of the plate. When the pressure against the plate is relieved, it returns to its normal position.

If desired, a roller 55 may be provided at the edge of the plate to minimize the possibility of the vehicle tire obtaining a purchase on the edge of the plate.

As previously indicated, in order to release the plate so that the car may be driven away, it is necessaryto' means 11 it forces the reset plate section to its normal position, raising the barrier plate section and returning the parts to the position of Fig. 1, wherein the latch 44 springs into position vabove cylinder 40.

Imay also provide an auxiliary means to prevent a person from releasing the latch 44 prematurely for a minimum parking fee and then leaving his vehicle in the parking stall for, an extended period of time beyond the minimum fee. This means comprises a spring-loaded cylinder 60, which is normally held retracted by a springpressed latch finger 61. Within the cylinder 60 is a compression coil spring 63 which is compressed when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1. The latch finger 61 is automatically retracted by a ratchet wheel 65 connected to a timing mechanism (not shown), which may be set in operation in response to actuation of the release knob 46.. Thus if a person releases latch finger 44 and then fails to remove the car from the parking stall within the time period for whichthe timemcchanism which drives wheel 65 is set, then the latch finger 61 will be retracted, permitting spring 63 to force the cylinder60 down against the upper end of rod 30 as shown in Fig. 6. This action thus forces cylinder 40 from the position of Fig. 5, where it is free of latch 44, to the position of Fig. 6, where it is engaged by latch 44. Then in order to release the mechanism to permitremoval of the vehicle, a person must first reset cylinder 60 and then-deposit additional money to permit actuation of release knob 46. For the convenience of'returning the cylinder 60 to its normal position, I provide a foot pedal reset member 66 rigidly connected to shaft 24.

Although I have shown and described a preferred form of the invention,-I contemplate that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the claims.

I claim:

1. In vehicle parking control means adapted for use in conjunction with means providing a vehicle-supporting surface, a plate at said surface adapted to be traversed by a wheel of the .vehicle, said plate having a barrier section in one plane and a reset section in another plane, said planes forming an obtuse angle, means supporting said plate for pivotal movement abount an axis substantially along the intersection of said barrier and reset sections of the plate, first spring means normally resiliently holding said plate in position with said barrier section up but short of its uppermost position, second spring means resisting further upward movement of said barrier section of said plate, latch means normally effective to hold said first spring operative, and means for releasing said latch means thereby relieving said plate of theforce of said first spring means.

2. In vehicle parking control means adapted for use in conjunction. with means providing a vehicle'supporting surface, aplate at said surface adapted to be traversed by a wheel of the vehicle, said plate having a barrier section in one plane and a reset section in another plane, said planes forming an obtuse angle, means supporting said plate for pivotal movement about an axis substantially along the intersection of said barrier and reset sections of the plate, a tubular column adapted to support a coin-controlled parking meter mechanism, an upright rod in said column, lever means operatively connecting said rod to said plate, spring means in said column normally resiliently holding said rod in position such that said plate is in position with said barrier section thereof above said surface, latch means normally effective to hold said spring means operative, and means for releasing said latch means thereby relieving said plate of the force of said spring means, said last-mentioned means being adapted to be controlled by the coin-controlled parking metermechanisrn.

3. Vehicle parking control means as set forth in claim 2 in which said spring means comprises a compression spring interposed between said column and an abutment on said rod.

4. In vehicle parking control means adapted for use in conjunction with means providing a vehicle-supporting surface, a plate at said surface adapted to be traversed by a wheel of the vehicle, said plate having a barrier section in one plane and a reset section in another plane, said planes forming an obtuse angle, means supporting said plate for pivotal movement about an axis substantially along the intersection of said barrier and reset sections of the plate, a tubular column adapted to support a coin-controlled parking meter mechanism, a vertical rod in said standard, lever means operatively connecting said rod to said plate, a pair of spaced abutments on said rod, a compression coil spring on said rod between said abutments, latch means engaging said spring for preventing movement of said rod in a direction to permit lowering of the barrier section of said plate, and means for releasing said latch means.

5. Vehicle parking control means as set forth in claim 4 in which additional spring means is provided for yieldably resisting upward pivotal movement of the barrier section of said plate from its normal position.

6. Vehicle parking control means as set forth in claim 4 in which means is provided for automatically resetting said latch means after expiration of a given period of time after said latch means has been released.

7. Vehicle parking control means as set forth in claim 4 in which means is provided for automatically resetting said latch means after expiration of a given period of time after said latch means has been released, comprising an auxiliary compression spring in said column positioned to return said first-mentioned spring to its normal position, and a latch for holding said compression spring retracted, said latch being adapted to be connected to a timing means for actuation in response to release of said first-mentioned latch means.

8. In control mechanism of the type described, a three-position positionable element to be controlled, a tubular housing, a rod in said housing extending generally axially thereof, means operatively connecting said rod and said element, a pair of axially spaced abutments on said rod, a compression spring on said rod between said abutments, latch means for releasably holding one end of said spring against movement in one direction, and means on said housing limiting movement of the other end of said spring in the opposite direction.

9. In control mechanism of the type described, a threeposition positionable element to be controlled, a tubular housing, a rod in said housing extending generally axially thereof, means operatively connecting said rod and said element, a pair of axially spaced abutments on said rod, a compression spring on said rod between said abutments, latch means for releasably holding one end of said spring against movement in one direction, means on said housing limiting movement of the other end of said spring in the opposite direction, an auxiliary spring supported in said housing resisting movement of said rod in a direction away from said latch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,240,068 Lytton Sept. 11, 1917 2,351,086 Wells June 13, 1944 2,448,765 Browning Sept. 7, 1948 2,462,610 Burum Feb. 22, 1949 2,657,486 ,SWcctser Nov. 3, 1953 

